Model Guided Sampling Optimization for Low-dimensional Problems

Abstract: Optimization of very expensive black-box functions requires utilization of maximum information gathered by the process of optimization. Model Guided Sampling Optimization (MGSO) forms a more robust alternative to Jones' Gaussian-process-based EGO algorithm. Instead of EGO's maximizing expected improvement, the MGSO uses sampling the probability of improvement which is shown to be helpful against trapping in local minima. Further, the MGSO can reach close-to-optimum solutions faster than standard optimization algorithms on low dimensional or smooth problems.